A boda boda cyclist in Soroti City is demanding justice after allegedly being involved in a suspected hit-and-run accident involving a police patrol car. The patrol vehicle, registered as UP 5738 and attached to Soroti City West Division, reportedly collided with Stephen Ochan Odeta along the Pamba Soroti-Serere road.
He was reportedly transporting a client to Pamba ward in Soroti City on Saturday night, July 4, 2026. According to Odeta, the incident occurred on Saturday night around 10:00 PM.
”The car came at a very high speed. When I saw it, I parked aside since the road around Soroti Museum is in a poor state. Instead, the driver left his side and crossed to our side, striking me and severing my middle finger on the right hand,” Odeta recounted.
Odeta and his passenger reportedly searched for his severed finger, but the bleeding was severe, prompting them to report to the police before seeking medical attention. “When I reached Soroti City East Police, I narrated what had happened to the officers at the counter, but they refused to register my complaint. Instead, I was told to get treatment and return the next day on Sunday,” he explained.
Upon returning to the police station the following day, he was allegedly again turned away and advised to go to the Soroti City West Division Police station, where he met District Police Commander Moses Nabongo.
Nabongo allegedly advised Odetta to obtain CCTV footage from the area to assist in the investigation. However, he expressed frustration that the lack of support from the police has prevented him to get any justice from them.
”Despite seeing the pain I’m enduring, they have not bothered to help me seek medical attention. I feel the whole side that got struck is paralyzed; I tried to go to the hospital, but they bounced me back, saying I needed a PF3 medical form before I could receive treatment,” he lamented.
An eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that the patrol vehicle came speeding from Pamba ward towards town when it struck them. The witness attempted to help Odeta lodge a complaint at the police station but faced resistance, leaving Odeta feeling helpless and without justice during his time of need.
Moses Nabongo, the District Police Commander for Soroti City West, acknowledged receiving Odeta’s complaint regarding the incident involving the police vehicle. However, he stated that he cannot ascertain the facts surrounding the case at this moment.
”I met Odeta at my office and discussed the importance of reviewing the CCTV footage to help our investigation into whether it was our vehicle that struck him,” Nabongo said. He confirmed that the police patrol vehicle was indeed conducting a night patrol in Pamba ward on the night of the incident.
“We have not yet considered providing assistance to him because we cannot confirm if it was our vehicle that injured him. I called the police driver who was on duty that night to inquire, but he denied involvement, so there is little the police can do at this point,” Nabongo expressed. Odeta continues to seek justice and medical care following the loss of his middle finger, as he navigates the challenges of dealing with the police and the pain from his injuries-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
